Power unit support for mixer



May 31, 1960 R. P. FARRELL, JR 2,938,715

POWER UNIT SUPPORT FOR MIXER Filed July 1s, 1.956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f a i 5 May 31, 1960 R. P. FARRELL, JR 2,938,715

POWER UNIT SUPPORT FOR MIXER Filed July 13, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent POWER UNIT SUPPORT FOR MIXER Robert P. Farrell, Jr., Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed July 13, 1956, Ser. No. 597,643

4 Claims. (Cl. 259-104) This invention relates to household food mixers and more particularly, to an improved power unit support for a latch or locking mechanism is especially desirable.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved means for readily detachably securing a mixer power unit to a standard and for providing an axis about which the power unit may be conveniently swung from and returned to a working position.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved standard which is simple in structure and a new and improved means for connecting such a standard to a non-expensive, easily manufactured base member.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, an electric kitchen mixer comprising a power unit having a casing including a bottom casing wall is provided with a guide way. The guide way is inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom casing wall extends through the bottom casing wall of the power unit and is disposed substantially wholly within the casing. A power unit support arm is conveniently hinged to the kitchen mixer standard and a tongue is formed on the power unit support arm for insertion in the guide way to thereby sup port the mixer power unit. Since the tongue and guide way are inclined with respect to the bottom casing wall of the power unit, the power units own weight holds the power unit in place on the tongue and no latching mechanism is required. Thus, the mixer power unit may' be readily removed from the power unit support arm and standard.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, a base is provided for supporting the mixer standard. An aperture is formed in the base and a shoulder is provided in the aperture. The end of the standard remote from the power unit is formed with a shoulder and is inserted in the aperture formed in the base so that the shoulder on said standard engages the shoulder formed in said aperture to thereby secure the standard to the base. With such a construction, the base may be formed of relatively inexpensive material, and the mixer may be assembled with ease, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the mixer without sacrificing quality.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig, l is a side elevational view of a food mixer em- I bodying the invention;

2,938,715 Patented May at, 1960 "ice improved means for detachably securing a mixer power unit to a standard;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of my improved mixer power unit support showing the support in position for holding the mixer power unit in a working position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the mixer power unit support arm in another position for holding the mixer power unit in a non-working position;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of my improved mixer power unit support arm and standard;

Fig. 7 is a partial bottom perspective view showing my improved means for connecting the standard to the base;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of my improved means for connecting the standard to the base;

Fig. 9 is a partial cross sectional view plane represented by line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken represented by line 1010 on Fig.8;

Fig. 11 is a partial cross sectional view showing my improved means for detachably securing a mixer power unit to a standard; and

Fig. 12 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the plane generally represented by line 12-12 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown an electric kitchen mixer comprising a power unit 2 that includes a casing and which is mounted on a base 3 by a standard 4. Power unit 2 includes an electric motor (not shown) which drives a plurality of beater elements 5 through suitable gearing means (not shown). The beater elements extend into a mixing bowl 6 which is positioned on a rotatable turntable 7 mounted on base 3.

I provide a new and improved means for connecting the standard 4 to base 3. The base 3 may be formed of plastic or other suitable material and one side of the base taken in the in the plane 3 may be provided with a gracefully curved neck portion 8 for receiving standard 4. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the neck portion is molded with an aperture 9 which extends from the top of the neck through the bottom of the base. Shoulders 10 are provided in aperture 9 by molding an upper portion 11 of'the aperture wider than a lower portion 12. In the course of the molding operation the aperture 9 is tapered outwardly in both directions from shoulders 10 in order to facilitate removal of the cores which form the aperture; however, sides v16 and 17 of the aperture are generally parallel to each other for receiving standard 4. Standard 4 may be formed of sheet metal and the lower portion 13 thereof may be reduced in width so as to form shoulders 15. Thus, the standard is formed with a complemental portion for insertion in aperture 9.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 10, it may be seen that when the standard is positioned in the aperture the weight of the power unit will tend to cause standard stop shoulders 15 to engage stop shoulders 10 formed in the aperture. Further, the weight of the power unit will tend to cause the standard to pivot slightly forwardly about stop shoulders 10 and 15. Thus, as shown in Fig, 9, the standard comes into direct contact with the interior parallel walls 16 and 17 of the aperture.

A wedge 18 is provided for locking the standard to the base 3. As shown in Fig. 9, wedge 18 is driven into a slot 19 formed in the lower end of standard 4. This causes the standard to be pulled down into snug engagement with the shoulders .10 and walls 16 and 17 on the base. "A screw 20 which may be provided with a lock washer 2tl' may be passed through a slot formed in the wedge and screwed into the under portion of the base 3 in order to retain the wedge on the base and to prevent the wedge from backing out. This connection provides, a tight sembly even if there is wide dimensional variation in the component parts. By this arrangement, a very simple yet efiective mixer support is achieved.

1 providev improved means for readily and conveniently detachably securing the mixer power unit 2 to standard 4 and'for, providing'an axis about which the power unit 2 may be conveniently swung from the working position shown in Fig. 1 with-heaters 5 positioned in bowl ,6 to a non-working position with the power unit pivoted about the top portion of thestandard 4 to raise the beaters 5 out of mixing bowl 6. In the non-working position with the heaters out of the bowl, my improved means for connectingthe power unit to the standard will assume the position shown in Fig. 4. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, a power unit support arm 22 comprising a tongue portion 23 and downwardly extending side walls 24 is hinged tostandard'4. The hinge may be provided by securing a hinge plate 25 toupright standard 4, the upper :end oflthe. hinge plate 25. being turned over to form a cylindrical recess 26 for receiving a hinge pin 27 which is passed through holes 28 formed in the side walls 24.

Positive working and. non-working positions for the mixer are provided. As shown in Fig. 6, an intermediate portion of plate 25 is formed with a protuberance 29 for co-operating with a surface of standard 4 to form a substantially cylindrical recess 30 for receiving spring loaded detent means. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this spring detent means may comprise two spherical detents .31 which are outwardly loaded by means of a coil spring 32.

Detents 31 co-operate with small depressions 33 and 34 which are provided on sidewalls 24 of the motor support arm 22. It can be seen that when detents 31 are. positioned within depressions 34, the mixer power unit and heaters will be in'the working position shown in Figs. 1 and 3; whereas when detents 31 are positioned within depressions 33, the mixer power unit and beaters will be in the non-working or up position corresponding to Fig. 4. Depressions 33 are made deep enough so that the weight of the mixer would not be adequate to unseat detents 31 from depressions 33 when the mixer is'placed in the non-working or up position shown in Fig. 4. Further, depressions 34 are made deep enough so that the upward force on the forward end of the power unit caused by a load on the heaters would not be sufiicient to unseat detents 31, from depressions 34. In this regard,

itmay be noted that since'ithe force at the forward end 'of' the mixer tending to cause the heaters to rise under load conditionsis usually less than the downward force due to the weight of the power unit, depressions '33 may j-be formed' slightly deeper than depressions 34; Depres- '-'sions 33 and 34 are made shallow enough so that the mixer power unit may be moved from a working to a nonworking positionor vice versa by merely gripping the handle and exerting a slight force in the appropriate direction. Accordingly; an improved support is accomplished which allows the mixer power unit to be freely pivoted.

Ialso provide positive stops'for the working and nonworking position of the mixer. In the arrangementillus- "trated in Fig. 6, the lower portion of hinge plate 25 is provided with outwardly extending ears 35 forming stops. Bars 36-and. 37 'are formed on the side portions 24. of

motor support arm 22adjacent to depressions 33 and 34,

respectively, .for cooperation with stop ears 35 formed on hinge plate 25 to thereby limit movement of the motor support arm 22. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, pivotal movement of the mixer power unit beyond the working position is prevented by stop ear 37, and as shown in Fig. 4, pivotal movement of the mixer power unit beyond. the

IIOIklFJOIklDg position is prevented by stop car 36.

a I provide an inclined guide way formed in the lower vportion of the mixer power unit for receivingtongue portion 2310f the mixer support arm so that the motors own weight holds the power unit 2 in place on the tongue 23, and no latching mechanism is necessary.

In the. arrangement shown in Figs. 2, 11 and 12, an enlarged Patent of, the United States is:

opening 38 is cut in the bottom casing wall 39 of the casing of'the mixer power unit. As viewed in Fig. 12, the power unit 2 is provided with two L-shaped channel members 40 and 41 which may be integrally formed and suitably connected to each other by means of cross members 42 and 43. It can be seen that the L-shaped channels 40 and 41 are inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom casing wall 39 andextend through the opening 38. A generally wedge-shaped guide member 44 is provided for substantially closing enlarged opening 38 formed in the bottom casing wall 39 and for forminga side of the guide way for receiving tongue 23. Member 44 may be riveted or otherwise secured to bottom casing wall 39; As shown in Fig. 11', inclined flat portions 45 of member 44 co-operate with L-shaped channel members 40 and 41 to provide two U-shaped guides to thereby form a guide way for receiving tongue 23 that is disposed substantially wholly within the power unit casing. A spring 46 may be riveted or otherwise connected to member 44 for urging tongue 23 against the upper side 40, 41 of the guide way to provide a snug fit. Stop means in the form of shoulders 47 maybe formed at the .end of tongue 23 to provide stops for abutting the ends of -L-shaped channel members 40 and 41 to thereby prevent the tongue. from becoming'wedged in the guide. way. As shown in Fig. 12, tongue 23 and its mating guide way 40, 41, 45 may be tapered to allow theend portion of the tongue to be readily inserted into the guide way. The motor support arm 22 including tongue '23 may be provided with a longitudinal protuberance 48 -to thereby provide a stiffening rib. Thus, a simpleand inexpensive means isprovided for readily detachably securing a mixer power unit to a standard.

Operation Referring now to Figs. 2 and 11, to attach the mixer power unit 2 to standard 4, it is merely necessary to grip the handle. of the power unit, insert the end portion of tongue 23 in guide way 40, 41, 45 and slide the mixer power unit on the tongue portion until shouldersi47 abut the ends of L-shaped channel members 40, 41. During this operation, spring 46 first engagesthe end portion of tongue 23 and then presses the bottom of tongue 23 upwardly against one side of the guide way. Since the guide way is inclined at an angle with respect to bottom casing wall 39, the weight'of the power unit 2 constantly urges the end portions of channel members 40 and 41 into contact with stop shoulders 47 on the motor support arm. The mixer power unit 2 may be readily removed from the standard by gripping the power unit and exerting a slight force forwardly and upwardly in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. To pivot the mixer power unit from a working position to a non-working position or vice versa, the power unit is gripped and'a slight force Hence, the mixer is especially appealing to the operator.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the invention, and therefore, it is aimed in the-appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventions What I claim as new and desire .to secure by Letters 1. In an electric food mixercomprising a power unit having a bottom casing wall, a plurality of heaters driven by said power unit, a generally horizontal base, a standard extending upwardly from said base, the improvement comprising a, guide way extending through the bottom casing-Wall of said power unit, a motor supportarm having a flat tongue portion and a sidewall, said tongue being removably positioned within said guide way for receiving a holding said mixer power unit, a hinge pin for pivoting said arm to said standard, spring means carried by said standard extending outwardly from said standard for engaging the side portion of said arm, a first depression formed in said side wall positioned adjacent to said tongue for receiving said spring means when said power unit and heaters are swung about said pivot pin to a non-working position, and a second depression formed in said side wall displaced from said first depression for receiving said spring means to thereby hold said mixer power unit and heaters in a working position when said power unit and heaters are pivoted about said pivot pin so as to cause said spring means to engage said second depression.

2. In an electric food mixer comprising a power unit having a bottom casing wall, a plurality of boaters driven by said power unit, an upright standard, the improvement comprising means for detachably securing said mixer power unit to said upright stanadrd and for providing an axis about which the power unit and heaters may be swung from and returned to a working position, said means comprising a guide way extending through said bottom casing Wall, a power unit support arm having a flat tongue portion and two side portions, said tongue being removably positioned within said guide way for holding said power unit, a hinge pin extending between said two side portions for pivoting said arm to said standard, spring means carried by said standard for engaging the inside surfaces of each of said side portions, at first pair of aligned depressions formed in each of said side portions and positioned adjacent to said tongue for receiving said spring means when said power unit and heaters are swung about said pivot pin to a non-working position, and a second pair of aligned depressions formed in each of said side portions for holding said mixer power unit and heaters in a working position when said power unit and heaters are swung about said pivot pin so as to cause said spring means to engage said second pair of depressions.

3. in an electric food mixer comprising a power unit having a bottom casing wall, a plurality of beaters driven by said power unit, an upright standard, the improvement comprising means for detachably securing said mixer power unit to said upright standard and for providing an axis about which the power unit and heaters may be swung from and returned to a working position, said means comprising a guide way extending through said bottom casing wall, a power unit support arm having a flat tongue portion and two side portions, said tongue being removably positioned within said guide way for holding said power unit, a hinge pin extending between said two side portions for pivoting said arm to the standard, spring detent means carried by the standard for engaging the inside surfaces of each of said side portions, a first pair of aligned depressions formed in each of said side portions positioned adjacent to said tongue for receiving said spring detent means when said power unit and heaters are swung about said pivot pin to a non- Working position, a second pair of aligned depressions formed in each of said side portions for holding said mixer power unit and heaters in a working position when said power unit and heaters are swung about said pivot so as to cause the spring detent means to receive said second pair of depressions, a first pair of stop ears formed on each of said side portions positioned adjacent to said first pair of depressions for contacting said standard to prevent movement of said arm beyond said nonworking position, and a second pair of stop ears formed on each of said side portions positioned adjacent to said second pair of depressions for contacting said standard to thereby prevent movement of said arm beyond said working position.

4. In an electric kitchen mixer, a base, an aperture having diverging sides formed in said base, a shoulder formed in said aperture, a standard having two ends, a kitchen power unit supported at one end of said standard, the other end of said standard being provided with a transverse slot, a stop shoulder formed on the other end of said standard spaced upwardly from said slot, said other end of said standard being inserted in said aperture formed in the base, and a wedge, said wedge being inserted within the slot formed in the standard for pivoting the stop shoulder formed on said standard on the shoulder normed in said aperture to contact said standard with a side of said aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,720,309 Wakefield July 9, 1929 1,970,811 Mross Aug. 21, 1934 2,069,506 Ross Feb. 2, 1937 2,162,400 Heath June 13, 1939 2,326,996 Fuge Aug. 17, 1943 2,462,089 Frisbie Feb. 22, 1949 2,483,813 Davis Oct. 4, 1949 2,588,009 Jones Mar. 4, 1952 2,665,166 Roark Jan. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 77,884 Norway Sept. 16, 1949 

